Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has approved an interest rate of 8.25 per cent on Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) deposits for 2025-26, retaining the same rate for the second consecutive year, according to an official statement.
The decision was taken at the 239th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) held in New Delhi and chaired by Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
Following the CBT’s approval, the proposed interest rate will be forwarded to the Ministry of Finance for concurrence. Once formally ratified, the new rate will be credited to the accounts of over seven crore EPFO subscribers.
Interest on EPF deposits is calculated on a monthly running balance but is credited to subscribers’ accounts at the end of the financial year. However, accounts that remain inactive for 36 months are classified as dormant and do not earn further interest. According to the statement, despite global economic uncertainties, the EPFO has maintained strong financial discipline, ensuring stable and competitive returns without straining its interest account.
Continuing its reform initiatives, the Board also approved a one-time Amnesty Scheme to address compliance issues relating to income tax–recognised trusts that are yet to be covered under or granted exemption under the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 (EPF & MP Act), taking into account the provisions of the Finance Act, 2026.
The proposed scheme aims to bring such establishments and trusts into compliance within a defined sixmonth window. It seeks primarily to protect workers’ interests by waiving damages, interest and penalties for entities that have already provided benefits equal to or better than the statutory scheme. The scheme also allows retrospective relaxation or exemption, subject to specified conditions, and ensures that all eligible employees receive statutory benefits.
